Nick Williams Won't Play Center Field

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said that outfielder Nick Williams will not play center field this year, but he saw a look there in spring action on Thursday. Williams is expected to make the Opening Day roster as the top weapon off the bench, but with Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen at the corners and […]

Cardinals Finalizing Extension For Paul Goldschmidt

The St. Louis Cardinals are working to finalize a new five-year deal that would begin next season for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, a source confirmed to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal on Thursday. ESPN's Jeff Passan and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported the deal will be worth around $130 million and is expected […]

Hunter Pence Makes Roster, Willie Calhoun Optioned

Texas Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence will be on the team's Opening Day roster as the fourth outfielder, while Willie Calhoun has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Calhoun still has a lot of upside, but as a left-handed hitter he was blocked by Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara and Shin-Soo Choo. Calhoun will attempt to increase his […]

Will Grier Meets With Panthers, Redskins

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier had separate dinner meetings on Wednesday with the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala. Carolina hasn't drafted a quarterback since taking Cam Newton in 2011, while the Redskins are still looking for another signal-caller after trading for Case Keenum.

Hunter Pence Could Earn Roster Spot

Texas Rangers veteran outfielder Hunter Pence is finally healthy and is on his way to earning an Opening Day roster spot for the rebuilding Rangers. The 35-year-old is hitting .356 (16-for-45) with three home runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases in 16 spring games as he tries to make the team. Pence rebuilt his […]

Kole Calhoun Has Bounced Back This Spring

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun has bounced back this spring after a terrible 2018 campaign. As a result, he figures to be the team's leadoff hitter heading into the regular season. The 31-year-old hit a miserable .208/.283/.369 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI in 137 games for the Halos in 2018. Calhoun managed […]

Darwinzon Hernandez May Open In Bullpen

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has electric stuff and has been so impressive that the Red Sox might have him start out of the bullpen on Opening Day. The 22-year-old has only six innings of professional experience above Single-A ball, however. In the long term, […]

Mark Trumbo Has Been Pleasant Surprise This Spring

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo's surgically-repaired right knee has held up and he's been one of the team's most pleasant spring surprises. The Orioles are now re-evaluating their plan to have him start the season on the injured list. Trumbo has hit just .200 (2-for-10), but the results aren't as important for him. The slugging […]

Blue Jays Impressed With Teoscar Hernandez

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has raved about outfielder Teoscar Hernandez's power and defense all spring. The 26-year-old has breakout potential and 30-homer power with everyday playing time after hitting .239/.302/.468 with 22 home runs and 57 RBI in 476 at-bats last season. In 15 spring training games, Hernandez is batting .410 (16-for-39) with […]

Vinny Curry Returning To Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing free-agent defensive lineman Vinny Curry to a one-year deal worth $2.25 million on Thursday, a source informed of the deal told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Curry has the potential to earn an extra $1.25 million in incentives. He was initially drafted in the second round by the Eagles in 2012 […]

Julio Jones In Extension Talks With Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons and wide receiver Julio Jones are both in a good place and plan to continue negotiating with the star wideout on a contract extension. The Falcons also plan to negotiate with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who received the $15.2 million franchise tag. They have until July 12 to reach an extension with […]

Saints Expected To Sign Jared Cook

The New Orleans Saints are expected to sign free-agent tight end Jared Cook, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cook, who turns 32 next month, had a career year with the Raiders in 2018, catching 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns. The veteran can stretch opposing defenses down the seam and should open […]

Matt Olson Injures Hand In Japan

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson left the 12-inning loss to the Mariners on Thursday in Japan in the sixth inning with right hand pain, and he will be re-evaluated when the team returns to Oakland. He said that the injury likely occurred when he fouled off a slider in the fifth inning. Olson won […]

Greg Bird To Have X-Rays After Hit By Pitch

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird was scratched from the spring lineup on Thursday due to swelling and stiffness in his right elbow, according to manager Aaron Boone. Bird was hit by a pitch on Wednesday and the team sent him to get X-rays as a precaution. Both Bird and Luke Voit seemed likely […]

Ichiro Suzuki Retires Thursday In Japan

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki announced on Thursday that he's retiring from baseball after a 5-4, 12-inning win against the A's in Japan. The 45-year-old went 0-for-4 in his final game and was pulled in the eighth inning to a standing ovation. Suzuki finished with 4,367 hits across Japan's professional league and MLB, and he […]

Ian Happ Has Impressed At Second Base

Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ian Happ has impressed manager Joe Maddon with more chances at second base in spring training. Happ will still get more at-bats over the course of the season in the outfield, but he has reminded the team that he's a reasonable option at the keystone. After hitting 24 homers in his rookie […]

Tyler O'Neill Moving Up Depth Chart

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill may have leapfrogged Jose Martinez on the outfield depth chart with his high-energy style of play this spring. O'Neill can also play all three outfield spots, so he figures to have a key role in 2019. The 23-year-old is hitting .309 (9-for-47) with five home runs and seven RBI […]

Dominic Smith Making Case For Opening Day Roster

New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith is showing why he was once considered a top prospect for the Mets in the minor leagues this spring. Both he and current Mets top prospect Peter Alonso could both wind up making the Opening Day roster. Smith is hitting .349 (15-for-43) with a homer and nine RBI […]

Francisco Lindor Still Uncertain For Opening Day

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor's (calf) status for Opening Day on March 28 remains uncertain. However, he batted every inning in a modified minor league game on Wednesday and went 0-for-6 with two walks in eight plate appearances. Lindor doesn't think he needs to play in a Cactus League game to be ready for the […]

Will Smith The Leading Candidate For Saves In San Fran

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith remains the leading candidate for the majority of save chances in 2019 after holding the closer role for the second half of last season and not allowing a run in three Cactus League innings this spring. Veteran Mark Melancon has shown improved health in camp, but he's also […]

Archie Bradley, Greg Holland Closing Candidates In Arizona

The Arizona Diamondbacks are taking their closer decision down to the wire this year, with relief pitchers Archie Bradley and Greg Holland the candidates. Holland's velocity has been down in spring training, but the team thinks he's fine and he'll pick it up in the regular season. Bradley missed an outing with neck stiffness but […]

Joey Gallo Doing Full Baseball Activities

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo is still sidelined with a strained right groin muscle, but he's doing full baseball activities, including batting practice, and remains confident he'll be ready for Opening Day. Gallo has only 29 spring at-bats, but he will be able to get extra work on the minor league side on the back […]

Mike Soroka Throwing Pain-Free

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (shoulder) is throwing pain-free for the first time in weeks. However, the 21-year-old has yet to pitch in a spring game after being shut down with shoulder soreness. As a result, he was optioned to minor league camp on Wednesday. Soroka will not start the regular season in the […]

Eloy Jimenez Agrees To Record Deal With White Sox

The Chicago White Sox agreed to a six-year, $43 million contract with outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez on Wednesday, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN. Baseball's top outfield prospect has yet to even play a day in the big leagues as a 22-year-old. He's now almost certain to start the year in the middle of […]

Jets Agree With Trevor Siemian

The New York Jets agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Trevor Siemian on a one-year, $2 million deal on Wednesday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Siemian can make up to $3 million in incentives. The 27-year-old former Bronco didn't play at all with the Vikings last year while backing up Kirk Cousins. He […]

Dwayne Haskins To Meet With Four More Teams

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins met with the New York Giants on Tuesday night and has meetings scheduled with the Broncos, Raiders, Dolphins and Redskins, who all have a pick in the top 15 of the first round of this year's draft. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said that Haskins checks off many of […]

Clayton Kershaw To Miss A Few Weeks Of Regular Season

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw a 22-pitch simulated game to Dodgers hitters on Wednesday, but he admitted it's basically the start of his spring training after he developed left shoulder inflammation and had to be shut down. The left-hander will miss at least several weeks of the regular season. Manager Dave […]

Doug Baldwin Might Need Sports Hernia Surgery

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin told Sports Radio 950 KJR in Seattle that "more surgeries (are) on the way, most likely." NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that Baldwin will visit with Dr. William Meyers soon to see about possibly undergoing sports hernia surgery, according to a source informed of the plan. Head coach Pete […]

Cardinals Won't Have Designated Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals will enter the regular season without a designated closer, preferring instead to use matchups and workload to influence decisions. Lefty Andrew Miller has experience and could see ninth-inning duties based on the matchups. Reliever Jordan Hicks has triple-digit fastball velocity and is improving. Alex Reyes and Carlos Martinez could also be […]

Phillies Have Three Options For Ninth Inning

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said that relief pitchers David Robertson, Seranthony Dominguez and Hector Neris could pitch in ninth-inning save situations in 2019. Nine different Phillies earned at least one save last year. Robertson has the most closing situation, but all three relievers can be unhittable when they are on their game. Robertson should […]